When Your Dad Gets an iPhone

My Mom, sister, and I exchange an average of four pictures of day.

Two of them are always the outfits Alyssa and I are wearing that day (seriously), at least one of them is usually of Holly, Dilly or Zula and a lot of times Alyssa texts us pictures of whatever she made herself for dinner that night (she advanced past me in the cooking arena after about 3 days of living in her apartment).

My Dad usually isn't in on our daily conversation because we exchange literally dozens of text messages a day and he has a job that involves a lot of concentration? Also, he doesn't like when things beep at him and he signs most of his text messages "Love, Dad" (which I love) so it would be pretty time consuming for him.

This week, Alyssa had her first round of graduate school finals (she finished yesterday!) so our pictures since about Wednesday of last week included a lot of her in yoga pangs looking stressed. She even sent us one that said "I'm turning into a stress unicorn," with her pointing to a zit in the middle of her forehead.

On Tuesday, she sent us this angry/sad picture of herself because she had a final at 4:00PM that day.

I was walking to my office, so obviously I sent her this picture back.

My Mom thought this whole thing was hilarious and sent the pictures to my Dad. Ten minutes later we had this.

I died of laughter right there on Broadway.

After he sent it, he wrote "I'm going to use it in the 9:00 AM meeting" and then Alyssa texted back "Its 9:03! You're late!" (you should know that Alyssa worked for my Dad's company for two summers and never got invited to the 9:00 AM meeting. She's still fairly offended).

This is a pretty pointless post however I want to advocate for parents having iPhones! Because this whole interaction was incredible and when you live far from your family, its nice to be able to be in basically a constant chain of conversations with them. Go get your parents iPhones...and then teach them how to take selfies! Right now, go!

Our Very First Holiday Card

I cannot even BELIEVE that I convinced Fiance to get Holiday cards this year. And not JUST Holiday cards. Holiday cards with our picture on them! And Icelandic horses! It was a Holiday miracle!

I think next year I am going to write a holiday letter. I imagine that it will go something like this:

"Dear Family Member/Friend/Acquaintance,
In November we got married! Something about work, Dilly, Dilly, Dilly. Something about a trip we took, Dilly, Dilly, Dilly.  Something about our house, Dilly, Dilly, Dilly."

You know, Cat Lady stuff. Do you have a Holiday Card this year? I'd love to see it!

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Five Years Later: A Puzzle Victory

Four months after Fiance and I started dating (February 2008) we went on a date to the Brooklyn Aquarium in Coney Island. Fiance swears he told me he wanted to take me there on our first date and that I said no. I don't remember that at all, but regardless in February he finally took me. Well, I took him because at that point in our relationship Fiance didn't drive.

Anyway, it was a great day! It had snowed and the beach was all snowy and pretty. And after it was over I made a whole album on Facebook called "John and Kate Plus Lots of Fish". Ugh geeze, I was so witty you guys!

Sometimes I forget that five years is kind of a long time. But then I look at pictures like this and think "holy goodness, we look like babies!"

At the end of our date we hit the aquarium gift store and bought a (I'm sure over priced) 200 piece puzzle. "This will be fun to do one night" we said. Obviously we were dorks even five years ago.

We never did that puzzle...maybe we were too busy drinking too much? Or worrying about graduate school? Or moving a million times? Or getting a three legged cat? These past five years sure have been busy...

But this Friday night we stayed in and don't ya know, we did that puzzle. And we learned that Fiance is a competitive puzzle put together-er. Which is surprising because I am the competitive one. We also learned that I am terrible at puzzles.

Five years later, we had a puzzle victory! Now its sitting on our kitchen table still put together. I'm thinking we should put it away and do it again in another five years. I WILL BE 30. Do 30 year olds have time to do puzzles?

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The Picture Process

Fiance and I hosted an Olympic Opening Ceremony Party two weeks ago which I forgot to talk about in the hoopla of the past few weeks. For Embrace the Camera this week I thought I'd show you what it looks like for my sister, Alyssa, and I to take a nice picture!

We've been taking pictures together for 20 years (you know as long as she's been alive) so you would think we'd have the hang of it by now. But introduce a few beers and a very warm house into the mix and we get down right silly.

And the final product, hooray! 

Embrace the Camera

I'm BACK with Embracing the Camera this week! We went to a wedding last weekend and these are just a few pictures of me, my little sister goofing around! Happy THURSDAY (almost Olympics time!) to you and you and you.

Embrace the Camera: In Which We Spent A Lot of Money

Fiance and I currently have a full size bed. Which is not big enough for the both of us plus Dilly. Not big enough at all.

Since we're moving next Saturday (holy moly we have packed nothing AND are going away this weekend) we decided that our new bigger home needed a new bigger bed.

Suddenly, it was ten days before we moved and we had not ordered a bed. And ummm I had plans to get frozen yogurt with friends last night and I am not one to not get frozen yogurt for dinner (see previous posts).

So Fiance and I hatched a plan wherein I would take a train to a different train station near a Bob's Furniture (and near Fiance's old house) and we would fast, buy a bed. I did not have high hopes for this expedition and was convinced we would need at least three hours.

Into Bob's we went, where we laid on a whole lot of beds. And where our sales man asked us if we liked to spoon when we told him we were considering a King. I was totally uncomfortable, and he tried to convince us that this was an important question. No sir...it is not. And even if it was, it was it was a question that we could have answered in our heads, and not vocally to you. Ew.

Twenty minutes later, Fiance had his credit card out (thank you baby Jesus we are getting our security deposit back and don't need to put one down on our new apartment!) and we had bought a new queen size bed! And its memory foam! And we agreed on whether we wanted "firm" or "pillow" (firm) or half and half (too many options). Also, in case you were wondering, don't call the "pillow" option "the mushy side" because your salesman will get angry.

That's the king version of our mattress, but that's it! And no, don't worry we did not get that headboard. Geeze, how intense is that?

We also almost bought one of these lights. How great are they? We decided against it, but I think we might be making a return trip soon!

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In Which My Hair Has Become Unmanageable

This is the current state of my hair. Too long, dead on the ends, layers totally grown out. In short: super unattractive and unable to hold any hair-do for more than 45 minutes.

Read: by the time I get to work I look like I didn't even do my hair. Or like yesterday when I went to a meeting after walking eight blocks in the rain with my hood up and someone said to me "Don't you look like a drowned rat!". Yup. Awesome ma'am, thank you SO much!

Growing your bangs out is the worst but look! Progress!

I'm getting it cut on Saturday because friends...this hair is attractive on nobody. Wish me luck!

Embrace the Camera: Proud Big Sister

Last Saturday, Fiance and I plus a bunch of our alumni friends went back to our Alma Mater for the University's annual Relay for Life.

I'm usually pretty fired up about Relay for Life but this year I was even more excited because my baby sister helped plan the whole thing and next year she'll be in charge or the whole kit and kaboodle! On Tuesday, she also got to be the Secretary of the Student Government Association! So on Sunday, we are going to the mall so she can get celebratory presents.

Because being a big sister who can buy things for your baby sister is basically the best thing about being a "grown up". Also, she's way more trendy than I am so she helps me buy clothes that are age appropriate.

Also, have you guys heard of the Japanese Instagram? Apparently its called Pick and Stephanie found out about it and she thinks its hilarious. If she really likes you, she'll makes things for you like this little gem. She's a great friend!

In Which I Am Seeing Alec Baldwin in Real Life!

Have you used Google Hangout?

I used it for the first time a few weeks ago with my friend Thenera and it was totally awesome! On Sunday I used it with three of my favorites, Ashley, Jared and Brian! And then, Stephanie came to my house and got on her computer and then we all talked to each other even though you know ummm Steph was right next to me! Gosh technology is so great!

Also did I mention that I'm going to 30 Rock Live tonight? Psssh because I am! Stephanie got two tickets and she invited me and I was so excited I nearly kissed her! But I didn't because she doesn't even really like when I hug her.

Via

I will attempt to seduce him from the audience but did you knowhe just got engaged to a 28 year old yoga instructor? Who is obviously very flexible. For this reason, my Mom says I do not stand a chance. But a girl can dream, can't she?

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Embrace the Camera

Guys! Guess what came for me in the mail on Monday?

My free Obama Biden bumper sticker that I ordered 8 weeks ago! HOORAY!

I think now is as good a time as any to let you know how much I geek out about Presidential Elections. Seriously, it is unparalleled dork-dom.

In 2008, I got to go to the Democratic National Convention with a super cool girl who I ended being friends with (and thankfully not a total weirdo stranger). For ten days, we chased Luke Russert around Denver and acted irrationally based on rumors that Bill Clinton was in town. And then, two months later my college hosted the third Presidential Debate and I met Nancy Pelosi. And I cried when I met her. And I'm not even embarrassed.

Now that Mitt Romeny is basically the Republican nominee, things can get into full swing! And now that I have this bumper sticker (location still to be determined) I am comfortable with the swing commencing (clearly they were waiting for me)!

Just so you know now, I am in fact planning on having a party when my Alma Mater hosts the debate (again, SO AWESOME) in October. And not like a little party. There might be balloons involved.

And will I invite people to my living room when Obama speaks at the convention? Probably. It will be a little be lack luster since last time I was in the stadium, but somewhat more exciting because I will not have an elderly woman screeching "Si, se puede," in my ear for six hours.

Sorry for my general disheveled appearance, these photos were taken post run last night. Did I mention I started running? Yup. Me. Sneakers. Quick movement of my legs. More on that later.

Happy Presidential Election Season to you and you and you!
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Embrace the Camera

Last night, Fiance and I met a friend of ours at the Stanton Street location of The Meatball Shop. I went to the Greenwich Avenue location a few months ago with friends and geeze it was so delicious. Last night did not disappoint (especially because we got seated right away and didn't have to wait two hours for a table). I will say that the Greenwich Avenue location is a little bit bigger and the service is a tiny bit better. But overall, holy crap you should walk there right now if you are in the city. And I don't mean get in a cab...walk from your location because you will eat your weight is sweet tea, meatballs and ice cream sandwiches so its a good idea for you to get some movement in ahead of time!

Here are some pictures from last night! I wanted Fiance and I to take a picture but then our train came and off we went, so its just me! Also, tomorrow is Friday! Ugh I love me some Fridays.

To order, you mark what you want with a dry erase marker. This is how I want to take orders at our wedding!

Growing your bangs out is a tedious process. They are not even that long yet, and already I feel like I am engaged in a daily battle with myself about whether or not I want to shave my head, Brittany style. And the rest of my hair is past my shoulders. I haven't gotten a haircut since September...something needs to happen! 

Reasons to Love New York AND Embrace the Camera: Spring Has Sprung

This is an extra special post you guys! Its a Reason to Love New York AND an Embrace the Camera and it is brought to you by Spring in New York City!

My work friends Amanda, Stacie and I went to get gelato on Tuesday for the first day of spring at Grom. Have you been? Geeze it is great and I got a cone even though I am fundamentally opposed to them. We'll ignore the fact that my gelato fell off and I caught it in my hand, thus proving that cones are bad news (cough, cough Amanda)

And then it was so beautiful on my walk home that I had to be a super dork and take a picture. Washington Square Park, I really love you a lot. Especially now that you're almost done being renovated and I can always find a bench...even if it is near the smelly new mulch (ew).

Hope Spring is shaping up for you wonderfully!

Embrace the Camera: Holly's Lady Surgery

That's me and Holly over my long weekend at my parents' last week.

How cute is she? She is totally unimpressed with my desire to take pictures with her always, but still adorable! I would like you to know that I had one million more of these but I only posted these (Photobooth is a terrible thing if you have cozy pets). You're welcome.

That's Holly yesterday!She is so sad because she got her Lady Surgery yesterday (I don't like the actual word for it ICK!). My Mom sent me this picture with this text message "Your puppy sister is sad. She misses her ovaries."

HOW SAD does she look? And then I called my Mom last night and I could hear her crying! Seriously. I cannot deal and am distraught. She can't even sleep in her crate because of that cone. I told me Mom (and bet my Dad $20) that FAT CHANCE they are never getting her to sleep in there again.

I have to go now because I can't keep looking at this picture because its making me super upset. But I would just like to say that I might have to start calling Embrace the Camera "Kate poses with various cuddly animals". I'm only a little sorry (and by a little I mean not at all).

Embracing the Camera: Today I am Mopey

Today, I am mopey. And totally overwhelmed. And annoyed.

Today, I was not going to participate in The Anderson Crew's Embrace the Camera because even though yesterday was Leap Day and I meant to take pictures of myself doing fun things, I forgot. Because I was too busy doing not fun things. All in all, its been an ick week.

But then in my crappy meeting this morning, I remembered how much I l-o-v-e Embrace the Camera. And then I looked at Emily's post and lo and behold she posted an oldie but a goodie! So I am, too! This is one of my all time favorite pictures of my and my sister. I think we look just stunning. And its making me smile on this really crappy day.

Embrace the Camera: The Wednesday Night Date Edition

Since September Fiance has been working 16 hours days at least one day a week (most weeks two or three days). 7AM-11PM is a l-o-n-g time, friends. We basically see each other for twenty minutes in the morning while we're getting ready and I wake up for about five seconds when he gets home.

But this week, he's not working late at all! 7:30AM-4:00PM which means he is home a full two and a half hours before me and we get to eat dinner together. And last night? It meant date night! I'm not sure when we got to be Wednesday night date people (or that we think Panera is a date) but we are! And boy was I thrilled! This week's Embrace the Camera is brought to you by the Wednesday Night Date!

My hair gets real flat after a day at work! 

Clearly we were very hungry!

And after Panera we went next door to the new frozen yogurt place, Swirls and Twirls. I went there a few weeks ago with my sister, and I kept calling it Twists and Splits...which is very obviously incorrect.

 I got pomegranate, raspberry, vanilla swirl and Fiance got chocolate with extra chocolate toppings. I got some sort of strange pink bubbly things are filled with strawberry goo...SO strange but real tasty. AND the yogurt was lactose free, which is SUPER helpful if you have a slight lactose issue (like me). I have obviously aged to 75 years old.

Embrace the Camera: Friends are Fun!

Today I'm Embracing the Camera with three of my girlfriends!

Have you ever been in a social situation that is surreal? And not like a little surreal, but like "This is so strange," "All of these people in one room make me really confused...what year is it and where are we?" "PLEASE don't give me another rum and pineapple juice!" surreal?

Yup. I had one on Saturday night.

Most of my surreal nights don't turn out well, but this one turned out great! AND I got this totally awesome photo, which I think is the best picture of us taken since we graduated college (more years ago than I am willing to admit to myself). Gosh, friends are so much fun (but seriously guys, less rum and pineapple juice in my hands next time, OK?)

Embrace the Camera: I am A (Crazy) Cat Lady

Last week, I had dinner with two friends that I worked with two years ago. They are lovely and we went to an even more lovely Japanese restaurant on St. Marks (really you should get up from your computer and walk/drive/fly there right now).

Even more lovely than great friends and tasty food? Pssh...I got a mug! My friend Lindsey got two adorable kitties about three weeks before we adopted Dilly and oh my goodness they are smooshy! When I saw her in October and told (read: gushed) about Dilly she looked at me and said "Welcome to the Crazy Cat Lady Club".

Lindsey commemorated my entrance to the club with this awesome, gigantic mug! Because ummm what Crazy Cat Lady doesn't love tea? Its a good thing I have Fiance, because I swear I am mere steps from being an insane spinster. 

No truer a statement has ever been uttered on a mug, my friends. Crazy Cat Lady right here! These photos are what happens when you attempt to take one picture of yourself for Embrace the Camera 

Seriously she is awesome. Reasons I love Dilly include: she likes to snuggle, she doesn't even really know she's missing a leg, she loves her some yarn just like her mama, she lets me carry her around like a baby, she likes to rest her chin on things and she's got some junk in the trunk (seriously, she's gained 2 pounds since she's lived with us, and I think it is exclusively in her butt). Also, she doesn't judge me when I come home from work and give myself a crazy clippy hair-do.

Finally, she humors me. Look at our faces. Mine says "Geeze, I am so funny and my cat loves me so much and she likes when I make faces." Her's says "Mom. Seriously, you are embarrassing me."

In other news, my bangs really need to be cut.